The Board of Directors of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration^® announce that Director Emeritus Virgil Johnson will assume the role of interim CEO beginning Monday, December 3.

Johnson was elected to the TWHNC^sm Association in 1991 and Celebration Board of Directors in 1993.  He served as its chairman in 2002-03, before reaching the board’s mandatory retirement age.  He was also inducted into the Celebration Hall of Fame in 2004.

During his time on the Celebration board, Johnson left an indelible mark as chairman of the Property Committee.  Among many projects he helped develop, his pet project may be the most enduring.  It was his vision to have a place where families can visit during the show, have a bite to eat, and enjoy themselves away from the fast pace of The Celebration.  With that in mind, The Celebration Plaza became a reality.  It now houses the Owners’ Wall, saluting the owners of the World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse each year.  It also features green space, walkways, a fountain, and an area for class winners to take photographs. 

“We are fortunate to be able to call on someone with Virgil’s experience, talents, and love for The Celebration^® during this interim period,” said Chairman David L. Howard.  “Since his retirement, Virgil has remained very active with Celebration activities and will work well with our staff to keep the day-to-day operations moving forward while a national search is conducted for a permanent chief executive officer.”

A native of Minnesota, Johnson and his family moved to Shelbyville in 1970 to manage the Jostens manufacturing facility.

The Celebration^® is the longest continually- running event in the state of Tennessee, dating back to 1939.  The 70^th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration^® is scheduled for August 20-30, 2008 at the Historic Celebration Grounds in Shelbyville.